In short: Today Downton - tomorrow Ben Nevis! Great fun - Support, organisation & value, excellentIn full: My first half, to celebrate my 60th year and if anybody had said a year ago I would be spending a Sunday morning running through hail, floods thunder & lightning just to qualify for cup of tea & a bun (plus medal & T shirt) I would have told them they were insane. Can't wait for next year!Date of review: November 28, 2006

In short: Superb organisation, tough course but welcoming of all standards - why can't all races be like this?In full: Shame about the weather this year but doesn't detract from what is a super little race. Excellent organisation, nice touches (bun + tea + medal + tshirt at the end), great marshalling, not too crowded. The last half a mile is a bit nerve-wracking traffic-wise, but short of stopping traffic, I'm not sure what can be done about this. Masseurs at the race HQ were very welcome!Date of review: November 27, 2006

In short: FantasticIn full: This was my first half marathon, the longest distance I've ever run and I loved it. We ran through torrential rain, hail, lightning and through almost foot deep flooded roads... AWESOME! Everyone was in great spirits and the marshalls and spectators were great, always cheering everyone on. Encouragement itself can feel like a big energy boost. Without writing a whole essay about the race, I can just say overall it was well organised and a LOT of fun... (I actually enjoyed the hills!)Big thanks to all the organisers, marshalls and spectators for putting it on, see you next year!Date of review: November 27, 2006

In short: Not for the orientationally challenged...In full: After registering for this race online, I received my race pack in about a week -- it was well-organised with all the details ironed out...except...a group of us slow-pokes got very lost and ended up a few miles off the race course! I guess the wind and rain must have done away with some markers (and marshalls)! It was a good laugh when I was about to finish as the first woman in 90 minutes or so, but I'd only done about 10 miles! So, be warned that you need to know the race course, as the only person we saw after the 3-mile mark was a man in a van and neon vest who nodded to us as we went the wrong way!Well done for those who kept up with the speedsters and knew where to go!Date of review: November 27, 2006

In short: Wonderful event, some of the best scenery I've ever seen.In full: My second time at the Downton half marathon and this is definitely one of my favourites, despite the horrendous conditions this time round. Worth doing it just for the scenery, but not a course to get a PB on. Glad there were more t-shirts this year, and a nicer design too! Tea and buns provided by the friendly ladies was a nice touch, and I'd like to say thank you to the girls at the last water station who cheered me up just as I was starting to flag!Date of review: November 27, 2006

In short: Splish Splosh, ooch ouch, but worth the experienceIn full: i have to agree - well done to the marshalls and water pod people. they can't have enjoyed the weather. it was good to be met at these points by smiley faces and encouragement. just goes to show they were truely as mad as us runners! this is definitely a run that is value for money, especially with the T-shirt and medals and the sticky bun made it for me.

i was with a small group of 4 or 5 at the 1hr 30min mark and to you all well done in the inclement weather.i hope to see you all at Bath, Taunton and London if you're really mad!bizarrely enough i actually got my personal best time in this race, which makes me wish it had been dry and who knows....it was good to see a full turn out for a small village even with the weather, but that makes the race. it was nice to find such a friendly atmosphere as well, all prepared to talk and support each other through the run.i may choose to run up the River Severn next year, i think it would be easier!i would consider doing this run again and can only take the word of others that the scenery is good, as i couldn't see it.Well done to everyone who took part including organisers and lets hope for more like this in the future. better then Bristol 1/2 marathon this year!!

can anyone tell me how to find out the results for my curisity?Are there any pictures anywhere as i remember seeing a flash at some point and i don't think that was the lightning!Date of review: November 27, 2006

In short: Extreme conditions but lovely courseIn full: As a beginner I found this race tough. Not because of the hills (they weren't that bad) but because of the weather. As mentioned, there was rain, hail, thunder, lightning and ankle deep streams to pass. I had so much rain in my eyes at one point that I could hardly see. I'd love to do this race in better weather because there was some beautiful countryside to admire, if only you could see through the monsoon.

I am full of admiration for the marshalls, the organisers, the tea and bun ladies - and for those of you who raced round like greyhounds. There were lots of serious looking runners but a few of us who came near the back to make up the numbers. The great thing about this race is that if you can run in these conditions you can pretty much run in anything. So well done everyone, a big fat pat on the back. Date of review: November 27, 2006